THE NEW "DEMOCRATISED" ARMY.
Certain officers having been guilty of the heinous offence of choosing one of two alternatives offered them by their superiors, it is now proposed to remodel our military system on democratic lines so as to leave no room for suspicion of political bias.
[Major Ramsay Macdonald, Field-Marshal the Baron Byles of Bradford, Lieut.-Col. Sir J. Brunner, Capt. John Ward and Col. Keir Hardie.]
House of Commons, Monday, March 30.—Stirring quarter of an hour. For dramatic surprise Drury Lane or Sadlers Wells in palmiest days not in it with T. R. Westminster. Doors open as usual at 2.45. In a few minutes there was standing room only. Appointed business of sitting Third Reading of Consolidated Fund Bill. Peculiarity of this measure is that through successive stages, each occupying a full sitting, no one even distantly alludes to its existence or provisions. Any other subject under the sun may, and is, talked around at length. To-day expected that opportunity would be seized by Opposition to make fresh attack on Government in respect of the Curragh affair and all it led to. Hence the crowded benches and prevalent expectation of a scrimmage.
A cloud of questions addressed to Prime Minister answered with that directness and brevity that mark his share in the conversation. Questions on Paper disposed of, Leader Of Opposition asked whether Sir John French and Sir Spencer Ewart had withdrawn their resignation? Answering in the negative, the Premier paid high tribute to the ability, loyalty and devotion to duty with which the gallant officers have served the Army and the State. He added, what was regarded as foregone conclusion, that Secretary of State for War had thought it right to press his proffered resignation.
Here it seemed was end of statement. Members expected to see Premier resume his seat. He continued in the same level businesslike tone:—
"In the circumstances, after much consideration, with not a little reluctance, I have felt it my duty, for the time at any rate, to assume the office of Secretary of State for War."
There followed a moment of silence. Effect of announcement, unexpected, momentous, was stupefying. Then a cheer, strident, almost savage in its passion, burst from serried ranks of Ministerialists. One leaped up and waved a copy of Orders of the Day. In an instant all were on their feet wildly cheering.
Meanwhile the Premier, apparently impassive, stood silent at the Table. When storm exhausted itself he quietly added that in accordance with law he would forthwith retire from the House "until, if it pleases them, my constituents sanction my return."
Demonstration of personal esteem and political approval repeated when, a few moments later, he walked out behind Speaker's Chair. Again the Liberals, now joined by Irish Nationalists, uprose, madly cheering.
Following upon this unprecedented scene, Seely's personal statement inevitably partook of character of anticlimax. Entering while Questions were going forward, he passed the Treasury bench, where he had no longer right to sit, and turned up the Gangway, to find every seat occupied. He stood for a moment irresolute. Cuthbert Wason, who has permanently appropriated third corner seat above Gangway (and portion of one adjoining), courteously made room for the ex-Minister.
Seely's brief statement, dignified in its simplicity, unexceptional in its good taste, listened to by both sides with evident sympathy. During two years' administration of War Office affairs, he has by straightforwardness, urbanity, and display of perfect command of his subject, increased the personal popularity enjoyed whilst he was yet a private Member.
Business done.—Resignation by Colonel Seely of War Office portfolio announced. Prime Minister takes it in personal charge.
House of Lords, Tuesday.—During last two days noble Lords been delighted with little by-play provided by Lord Curzon. Yesterday, he by severe cross-examination extracted from Lord Morley admission of personal knowledge of what are known as the peccant paragraphs in document handed on behalf of War Office to General Gough.
What troubled Curzon was apprehension that such admission must necessarily be followed by resignation. Regretted this for dual reason. First, House would be deprived of presence of esteemed Viscount on Ministerial bench. Secondly, and to the generous mind this consideration even more poignant, the secession of a Minister so highly prized would in present circumstances strike heavy blow at Government. Might even lead to break up of Ministry, dissolution of Parliament, destruction of Home Rule and Welsh Church Bills.
Under cross-examination Morley, whilst making clean breast of his share in incident that led to resignation of War Minister, said never a word about possibility, or otherwise, of his own retirement. Curzon's generous alarm deepened. Better know the worst if it were lurking in the background.
"How comes it," he asked, "if the Government felt compelled to withdraw these paragraphs, and if the Secretary for War resigned, that we still have the good fortune to see the noble Viscount in charge of the Government bench?"
"The latter point," said Morley, "will be answered more or less satisfactorily to-morrow."
Curzon went home in state of profound depression. Morley, regardless of the comfort, even the safety, of his colleagues in the Cabinet, evidently meant resignation. Came down to-day, his ingenuous countenance exhibiting signs of passage through an unrestful night.
"But," as he quaintly remarked to commiserating friend, "better have the tooth out at once."
Up again at first opportunity. Still harping on the Viscount.
"It is rather difficult to see," he remarked, "why, the Secretary for War having handed in his first resignation, we should still have been favoured with the continuance in office of the noble Viscount.... The upshot of the incident is that Colonel Seely has gone, while I hope the noble Viscount is going to remain."
Appeal irresistible. In response Morley explained that had Seely persisted in his first resignation his would have followed. When it came to Seely's second resignation he felt bound to remain.
Distinction subtle. Possibly it was effect of wrestling with it that made Curzon look less joyous than might have been expected, seeing he had realised his disinterested hope, and a second, even more damaging, secession from a stricken Cabinet had been averted.
Lord Curzon (to Lord Morley). "Must you go? Can't you stay?"
Business done.—In the Commons debate on Second Reading of Home Rule Bill resumed. Atmosphere significantly less stormy than heretofore.
House of Commons, Thursday.—The Member for Sark, in pursuance of his favourite axiom that there is nothing new under the sun, calls attention to two conversations in which he discovers singularly close parallel in tone and temper. The first will be found in official report of Parliamentary debate. It took place between Leader of Opposition and First Lord of Admiralty, the former insistent upon House being made acquainted with Sir Arthur Paget's report of what happened when he addressed officers under his command at Curragh on possibility of their being ordered to Ulster.
Here follows excerpt from official report:—
"Mr. Churchill. The statement just made I make after having had an opportunity of communicating with Sir Arthur Paget. It is admitted that a misunderstanding on the point arose.
Mr. Bonar Law. Rubbish.
Mr. Churchill. Do I understand the right hon. gentleman to say 'rubbish'?
Mr. Bonar Law. Yes."
The parallel that pleases Sark will be found in report of a conversation between Mrs. Gamp and Mrs. Betsey Prig at what should have been a friendly tea-table in the home of the former. This was the historic occasion when Mrs. Prig declared her rooted belief in the non-existence of Mrs. Gamp's friend Mrs. Harris. For purpose of comparison it may be convenient to put what followed in the same form as official Parliamentary report:—
Mrs. Gamp. What! you bago creetur, have I know'd Mrs. Harris five-and-thirty year, to be told at last that there ain't no sech a person livin'! Go along with you!
Mrs. Prig. I'm agoin', Ma'am, aint I?
Mrs. Gamp. You had better, Ma'am!
Mrs. Prig. Do you know who you're talking to, Ma'am?
Mrs. Gamp. Aperiently to Betsey Prig.
Business done.—Third night's debate on Second Reading of Home Rule Bill. Intended to divide. On urgent demand of Opposition division deferred till Monday.
"Then came the resignation of Mr. Asquith, which left the Ministry (temporarily) without its head. Hence another vacant seal in the Government Front Bench."—Globe.
To prevent self-consciousness among the Cabinet, the name of the Minister who looks like a vacant seal should be given.
"Mr. Bodkin, opening the case, described Hemmerde for the defence."
North Eastern Daily Gazette.
It is generally towards the end of a case that one wants to describe the opposing counsel in detail.